Park City Library continues 125th anniversary celebration

Back in 1888, the Park City community decided to establish a library because the townsfolk felt they needed a place to share ideas and provide resource materials.

"It’s so impressive that we’ve been kind of a foundation for the community for 125 years," said Tegan Davis, the library’s youth services librarian. "And the community has been so supportive of it ever since."

That’s why the Park City Library is celebrating its quasquicentennial with different events held throughout the year.

The first was in June when Mr. Silly Gilly, an Orem-based children’s entertainer, treated families to cake, ice cream, lemonade and a performance.

The next event will be an ice-cream social on Monday, Aug. 19.

"We’ll get some ice cream and a bunch of toppings so people can come and enjoy a nice treat," Davis said. "We’ll also have crafts for kids to do. After they gobble up their ice cream, they can make something fun to take home."

The event will take place in the botanical area on the patio area in between the building’s front doors.

"This is where we tried to host the first event, but rain happened, so we moved indoors," she said. "It was still a great time and we had more than 70 people show up."

The anniversary events take place every two months, Davis explained.

"The next party will be in October and we’re excited to see what it will be," she said.

Davis, who started as the youth services librarian last year, said she is proud of being a part of an organization that has offered many services to Park City.

"We’ve provided entertainment and educational opportunities to thousands," she said. "The Park City Library is open 3,236 hours a year and provides access to over 82,200 items — including, books, e-books, DVDs, magazines, and language-learning materials," she said. "We offer free public computer access and free programs to enlighten and delight all ages."

Within the past year, Davis has helped establish the new YouCreate Lab that provides the community an opportunity to explore, create and collaborate with digital media.

She also was instrumental in creating "Saturday Crafternoons" sessions for families.

"If a family wants something to do, they can just come in and participate," she said. "We also have a music and movement session that combines music and rhythm for early childhood development and literacy skills."

These programs are offered in addition to an array of story times offered to various ages.

"We also enjoy reaching out to other organizations in the community for other events," Davis said. "Last year we worked with the Park City Film Series for the Books 2 Movies program that offered free screenings of movies that were based on children’s books."

The second season of Books 2Movies will kick off in the Jim Santy Auditorium on Saturday, Sept. 7.

"We’re super excited to have a community that loves us and has given us the opportunity to provide the services that it needs," Davis said. "I have many more programs that I want to do and we hope to continue to provide for those needs for at least another 125 years."

The Park City Library will continue to celebrate its 125th anniversary with an ice cream social on Monday, Aug. 19, from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. The ice cream social is part of a series of special events and programs that celebrate the library’s rich history and legacy in the community. For more information, contact the Park City Library at (435) 615-5600 or visit http://www.parkcitylibrary.org.